Jack Talks UCLA Trip

Brandon Huffman

01/23/2013

The Bellevue (Wash.) linebacker and UCLA commit, Myles Jack, recaps his official trip...

Bellevue (Wash.) linebacker Myles Jack has been a commit to UCLA since June, but the West's top outside linebacker prospect has been the focal point of a number of Pac-12 schools and even an ACC school.

Still Jack says he remains committed to the Bruins, and took his third official visit this past weekend, visiting Westwood.

"The trip was really great and all the different aspects of why I chose the school, each day, they really hit on those aspects," said Jack.

"Jordan, Eric and Anthony were all really cool guys and they really welcomed me with open arms," said Jack. "It wasn't like ‘you're a recruit so we'll be cool' but it was genuine and they really wanted guys to come in and contribute and help make their linebackers the best in the country."

Jack said he got to spend a lot of time talking with each of the linebackers about the new defense and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich.

"I was sitting down with them and asked them how much of a culture change there was with Coach (Jim) Mora and Coach Ulbrich," said Jack. "They talked about how they had three different defensive staffs but that they wouldn't want anyone else coaching them than this staff. They said they really bought in and believed what the coaching staff is saying and that the coaching staff is all in."

With one of the four linebacker spots open, Jack said Mora, Ulbrich and defensive coordinator Lou Spanos talked about the possibility of competing for playing time, and a starting job, at that vacated spot.

"With Damien Holmes graduating, that spot is pretty much open and they said whoever is the best player will play, whether that's a senior or a freshman and that I have a great chance to get in as a freshman at that spot," said Jack. "So I'd make the most of that opportunity at that position because Anthony has his spot locked up. I got to go over the playbook with Coach Ulbrich and he showed me the position more in-depth and we went over it in a little bit and how they would use me."

Jack said he got to see much of what he was hoping to on the visit.

"The first day, we spent a lot of time looking at the academics, and the classrooms and the academic advisers we met with. On Saturday, it was more of a football day and we got to go to the Rose Bowl and see stuff there and walk around and it was cool to see all of that. We also saw the locker room and the facilities on campus. Then we went to the basketball game and that was pretty fun. On Sunday, I got to talk with Coach Mora about football and school and just my commitment to them."

So where does Jack's commitment to UCLA stand, with hometown Washington making a big push, Florida State getting his last visit, and Utah and Arizona State having had their shots at him with official visits?

"It's solid to UCLA," said Jack. "Honestly, it was going to take a lot for a school to sway me, and that visit pretty much sealed the day for UCLA. I'm taking the visits because I said I wanted to take them all, but UCLA just is the best place for me."

Jack said at various times on the visit that feeling and fit was confirmed to him.

"Probably just the whole atmosphere stood out to me and showed me everything about UCLA and why I picked them," said Jack. "All the players have bought into the coaching staff and the players, they really took us in and it was natural, the way they came in and talked with us and were cool with us. I could ask them anything about the program and they honest to God believe in what the coaches are telling him. I think that was the main thing, that the players really sold me on UCLA."

Still, there are two weeks until Signing Day, and schools aren't going out without a fight.

Florida State had defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and linebackers coach Charles Kelly in on Monday night and Wednesday will be a busy day for in-home visits for him.

"Utah is coming to the school (Wednesday morning), Arizona State is coming at 4 p.m. and UCLA is coming at 7 p.m.," said Jack. "And then next week, Washington, Utah, Arizona State, Florida State and UCLA are all coming in. I haven't had the head coaches yet from those schools come in-home yet so they'll all be through my house."

Jack still intends to officially visit Washington this weekend and Florida State February 1st.

Despite a commitment seven months ago, the late push from schools has Jack eager for Signing Day.

"Man, I can't wait to sign and be done with the recruiting process," said Jack. "I'm trying hard to enjoy it, it's hard not to enjoy it. Sometimes, you get tired of all the calls but then you remember it's what you've worked so hard for. And my mom loves the in-home visits because she cooks and gets to open up our home to them. It puts a smile on her face."

Jack's mom and brother flanked him on his visit to UCLA, and Jack said she's completely fine with him going out-of-state for college.

"She doesn't care and it's not a big deal to her for me to leave," said Jack. "She wouldn't mind if I left the house and spread my wings."

Brandon
is in his eighth year with Scout.com, currently as a National Recruiting
Analyst and West Regional Manager.
Prior to joining the Scout.com Recruiting Team, he was a team recruiting writer.
He's been covering recruiting for the Scout.com network since 2003.
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